East Texas Book Bash

 

I won't be doing many in-person events in 2023.

I don't prefer to fly to events. I like road trips, especially in Texas, so I like to drive to events all over this great big state. BUT, gas has gone up, my car is getting older, I'm getting older, it's just getting harder all around to make these trips I love. So, I decided a few months ago to not do any events in 2023, however, I'm already committed to at least two in Seguin, TX. With that in mind, I'd like to stress that if you're interested in meeting me and purchasing a print book straight from my hands, this is one of the last chances to do so for a while.

Grab your tickets today for the East Texas Book Bash being held at Mill Creek Ranch & Resort in Canton, TX on December 10, 2022!! VIP is SOLD OUT!! Only General Admission is available. There will be wine during the event!!

Facebook event - https://fb.me/e/9FA3tYOcT 

Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/196292675677

I will have limited copies of:

Born of Stone, Born of Magic, Born of the Forbidden, Trusting an Angel, Desiring a Demon, Saving Her Angel, and Lunchtime Sex. So, if you already know you want one, please feel free to reserve your copy here: https://forms.gle/x2HLpw58CBuB2zLP8

NaNoNope

 

I tried. I looked through all of my Works In Progress (WIPs), took my time selecting the one that called to me, made sure my laptop was charged, considered my schedule and when I could get writing done, updated my NaNoWriMo profile, found online writing buddies, and joined two different groups...

None of that mattered by day three. I'm sorry to say I just can't write right now and I don't know why. I actually feel it's a bit of a miracle I'm able to write this blog post. In the past, I've used this blog to get the writing juices flowing again, so maybe I'll feel like writing this weekend, but who knows. Is it writer's block? Is it depression? Is it general laziness or apathy? I really can't say, but it sucks. The desire is there until I plug in my external hard drive and all those little file folders pop up to mock me. Perhaps it's intimidation. It's almost definitely a little bit of imposter syndrome.

Whatever it is, I'm hoping to move past it enough to get book four of my Master Gargoyle series finished. It's about two-thirds of the way done. I even have a cover all ready to go. As my early Christmas present to you, dear reader, you get first peek at my new cover below. Once that book is done and back to my editor I plan to finish book four of the Archangel series. I know that's been a few years coming. I also am considering rereleasing my Love Beyond Barriers books: Two-Week Trial, Two Dates Max, Too Hard to Break, and Too Much to Lose. They need a little bit of updating to current times, but there won't be many changes.

I hope all of you are ready for the Holidays and have started out December on a positive note!

Something Close to My Heart

 

Those of you who don't follow me on social media might not be aware that I'm a LGBTQ+ ally, and VERY much an ally of #trans rights. My youngest child is a transgendered person, something I've put out into the world more than once, and we live in Texas, not necessarily a good mix right now.

I love being Texan. If you've ever met me, you might've noticed my purse or something on my person or author table with the state of Texas on it. I consider it part of my identity. However, I love my children more. They always come first, especially at a time like this when some people in this state don't think one of them has a right to live as his genuine self. I'll be the first to admit I had doubts when he first told us he was born as the wrong gender. But there comes a time in a parent's life where we have to take a step back and come to terms with our child knowing their own mind, making their own decisions, and taking those first steps away from us. In our case, this was a big one, but his conviction and absolute belief that this was true was irrefutable. I'm so glad we listened to him. What would any parent do when faced with the choice of believing their child or losing them? We honestly thought that might happen, and it made our choice easy. He knows his own mind, he knows his own body. What can we do to help?

My son was able to have top surgery last March (double mastectomy) and he had started taking testosterone a few months before. Luckily, we live in Houston and had resources all around to help us with this journey. It was relatively easy, if not a little expensive, but we got it done. Name changed, the paperwork of his life straightened out, and at seventeen my child became a young man in the legal eyes of Texas. If that had happened in 2022 there's a good chance it would be considered child abuse. As it is, at least one Texas parent is being investigated retroactively for their now adult trans child transitioning while being a minor. I might still have a legal battle ahead, but it is nothing compared to what the actual transgendered youth in Texas are dealing with. To help ease some of this burden, a group of authors and concerned others have gathered together to raise money for groups actively fighting these hateful laws in Texas.

 The first offering is a bundle of books collectively called Spooky Spring. These thirteen books (yes, full novel-length ebooks) can be purchased with a donation of at least $25. Every penny goes to an organization on the ground in Texas fighting for the rights of our kids who have done nothing but live as their authentic selves. 

Don't want this particular book bundle? No problem, there will be more! I'm offering a book in one of the future bundles as well. This link will take you to the newsletter sign up to be alerted to future book bundles for this cause. 

Unsure if you want to help because this cause isn't a part of your life? No problem. I sincerely appreciate you reading this far. Please help us get the word out on social media, or to other readers any way you can. On the fence because you just don't "get it"? No problem. I'm absolutely open to questions. Though I'm not a transgendered person, my son is also open to answering questions about being trans and what it means for him. I can tell you what it means for my family and how it has affected us. 

All we're trying to do is help #trans kids live with the freedom that many others in Texas enjoy. Thank you for reading this post.

First In-Person Event of 2022

 

It's almost here! My first in-person event of the year is once again All the Books in Houston, TX. Over 30 authors of multiple genres will be joining me at the Doubletree - Intercontinental Airport this Saturday, March 5th from 10 - 4. The event will close in the afternoon so we can eat lunch from 12:30 - 2.

I will have print copies of all three of my Gargoyle Masters books, all three of my Archangels books (both old and new covers), Lunchtime Sex, and I have one copy left of Love Beyond Barriers. I'll also have my "I Like my Stories Steamy" t-shirts in women's cuts from S- XL. 

If you want to pre-order anything please fill out the form below to guarantee I'll have what you want. I can also invoice you through PayPal ahead of time to save your cash and hassle the day of the event.

Hope to see you there!

New Release from Tina Donahue: Privilege

 

My friend and fellow author Tina Donahue has a new book out!

Privilege

The Valesky Crime Family Book 2

She’ll destroy the mobsters who murdered her brother... unless they kill her first.

District cop Lia Blosky warned her twin brother not to get involved with the Valesky Crime Family. He didn’t listen. Now, he’s dead, tortured horribly before mobsters murdered him. Out for blood, she’ll do anything to see these monsters dead.

FBI Special Agent Adrian Kalin is connected to the Valesky Family in a way he loathes and doesn’t want. His stepfather rules the syndicate and is tired of Lia threatening to kill him and others responsible for her brother’s death. To shut her up for good, he orders Adrian to murder her. Who better than an FBI agent who has no connection to her and knows how to hide evidence? Adrian resists, but if it comes down to saving Lia or his brothers and mother from Dimitri’s rage, he’ll have to choose family.

In a deadly game between each other and the mob, Lia and Adrian fight to survive... while also surrendering to their undeniable attraction to each other. 

This is book two in the Valesky Crime Family series, can be enjoyed independently and has an HEA.

Publisher’s Note: This contemporary dark mafia romance contains elements of mystery,

suspense, action, adventure, adult themes, and possible triggers for some readers.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60169480-privilege
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QLBZ89H
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/4Elpno

Giveaway

$15 Amazon

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

About the Author

Tina’s an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes passionate romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. She’s won Readers’ Choice Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year award, The Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place in the NEC RWA contests. She’s featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

On a less serious note: she’s an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brakes for Mexican restaurants, and has been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally while wolfing down tostadas. She’s flown a single-engine airplane (freaking scary), rewired an old house using an ‘electricity for dummies’ book, and is horribly shy despite the hot romances she writes.

Author Links

Website: http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/?zx=95d61d0b25f33bf4

MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/tinadonahue

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinadonahue

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinadonahuebooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tina-donahue

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tina-Donahue/e/B001IZPJXO

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146988.Tina_Donahue

New Year New Giveaway

Happy New Year! I know 2021 wasn't what we all hoped for, but it's time to start fresh with a new year. Here's hoping all of you have a better 2022. I wish for everyone to be healthier, happier, and more successful than last year. I'm hoping I get more writing done, eat less chocolate, and move around more. I'm not making actual resolutions though because honestly, I don't know that I'll keep to them past this weekend. But I'm hopeful. We'll see.

To start the New Year off right I'd like to give away some prizes. I am a huge fan of Jodi Thomas and Madeline Hunter and entered contests to win their books. Then, I thought the contests had ended with someone else winning and I bought the books. But behold, I actually did win a copy of each book! So, I'm giving away three prize boxes:

The first box has a new copy of Madeline Hunter's Heiress in Red Silk. It's an excellent historical romance, just as all her books are, and I highly recommend it. I'm also including a read copy of RaeAnne Thayne's Riverbend Road, a coffee mug, and one of my goody bags. 
 

The second box includes a new copy of Jodi Thomas' Dinner on Primrose Hill. I'm about to start reading it, but I absolutely love all of her sweet romance books. They're not spicy like what I write but her characters and settings are memorable. The box also includes a read, signed copy of Nicole Flockton's One Hot Texas Summer, a cute little notebook, and one of my goody bags.

The third box includes a new copy of Room Service by Rochelle Alers. I cracked open this book, but a few pages in realized it would better to read the other books in the series first. Unfortunately, my TBR pile is preventing me from buying them at this time. The box also includes a magnetic 2022 calendar, a cute magnet, and one of my goody bags.

To enter to win one of these prize boxes all you have to do is visit this Rafflecopter and use one of the methods to be entered. Commenting on this blog post is one of the ways to enter. Feel free to comment below with your New Year's resolutions, your favorite book from 2021, or anything else you'd like to say. The contest ends on January 9th and is only open to those in the continental U.S. due to shipping costs (sorry!). Good luck!